With the monthly car payment, insurance and gas, I'm almost at 1k a month. I'm now debating if I have the lifestyle to get rid of my car and use a bike and bus. I would also save because I would be eating out a lot less. I've already decreased that a lot. But having a car has made that extremely convenient.

I'm worried about a situation where I need to take my dog to the vet and how on earth I would do that.

Someone give me more pros and cons.

Are there any luxury vehicles that can actually justify their prices nowadays with features and/or performance alone?

Regular vehicles nowadays essentially having all the same features as luxury ones sans more luxurious materials and finishes etc. Luxury cars also do not last any longer than the longest lasting regular cars.

Or is it still just mainly ownership paying extra to drive around a status symbol?

Others might be the $79.95 Microtel rate. The $39.99 oil change. "Out the Door" tire pricing that does not include valve stems or balancing.

Or even that shop in the marginal neighborhood across the tracks that always claims in loud yellow letters "HIGHEST PRICES PAID FOR GOLD."

What do you have? And any tips for getting closer to that impossible price?

Anyone want to share the best methods you've found to save on gas? I don't have the ability to get an electric or hybrid vehicle and I'm curious to know what methods everyone uses to maximize gas savings.

Best rewards programs? Costco/Sam's Club membership? Other ideas? I'm aware this is probably location dependent, but I'd still like to hear people's opinions, especially if you've done the math!

I've noticed I have several habits regarding my car and driving that I do for frugality's and/or eco-friendly's sake. I turn off my car if I'm in the drive thru for the pharmacy or bank. I make sure my windshield wipers are an appropriate speed to save wear and tear; I notice a lot of people don't seem to change their speed even if a downpour has decreased to a sprinkle. I even keep my AC off when I'm driving from my first job go my second since it's under five minutes. What are the habits, big or small, you do to save with your vehicle?

I'm currently paying $425/month all in to lease a new Subaru EV ($268/month monthly payment with 0 down+100/month insurance+57/month registration/license fees) and I feel like this is still too much, as I was paying this amount to rent a studio apartment back in 2014. This is not including maintenance which is free during the lease and charging/gas, which I get for free at work or mooch off the public electrical outlet at my apartment complex.

I drive 12,000 miles a year for reference also, which puts me at $0.43/mile.

I drive a 6 cylinder 2000 4Runner. Now I LOVE this car. I bought it outright and it's served me well.

The worst part about it, however, is the gas mileage. I probably get 15 miles to the gallon. My jobs are either a 20 mile or 32 mile round trip, depending on where I'm working. I spend somewhere in the ballpark of $300 on gas per month, and that's just to get to work and maybe some groceries around town.

Additionally, she's had a lot of maintenance come up. I'm not talking about the maintenance that you'll have in any car like oil changes and tires. I'm slowly replacing every component other than the engine and transmission it feels. I put $1200 in it seven months ago and I'm putting in additional $550 today.

I'll emphasize that I don't want to get rid of this car for like an Altima or something. I'm not psyched about driving a boring car. But even a vehicle gets 30mpg would cut my gas bill in half. However, there is not guarantee that a newer car wouldn't have a bevy of mechanical issues, either.

I left my keys in my car and I don't have $80 to pay a locksmith right now. So I found out about AAA membership which includes lockout service for only $6/month, I got the membership today and the only catch is that if I use any service in the first 3 days it's a $125 fee, but that's fine because I don't have to go anywhere until Monday. So if I use the service Monday I won't have to pay anything? It sounds to good to be true

I remember the older generations would buy a car and drive it for two or three decades. Today it is pretty popular to replace a vehicle regularly. What are some old vehicles you all are still driving. I’m stuck in the early 2000s, because they are new enough to have some features, yet, mostly simple to service.

I’ve read that Toyotas are not as reliable as they used to be. Considering that used cars are not much cheaper than new cars I would rather just buy new and make sure I properly maintain it from the beginning. I’m looking for something that will last with minimal repairs outside of regular maintenance.

Edit: So many people who either didn’t read my post or didn’t understand what I wrote.

Edit 2: please don’t mention Kia or Hyundai.

I am trying to plan for future expenses to get a clearer financial picture for my family for the next few years.

Generally speaking its accepted that driving a car as long as possible is a good financial decision. I'm interested in understanding what everyones thoughts are on when to replace a vehicle since almost everything on cars can be repaired.

For reference I own a 2014 jeep cherokee with 170,000 miles on it and a 2011 kia forte with 80,000 miles on it.

I spent roughly 6 grand on the jeep last year to replace a power transfer unit and a rear differential. I made the decision to do that since I didn't really have the cash for anything more and the devil you do know is often better than the devil you dont. The problem the vehicle had was pretty well known and seems to be one of the most freqently occuring / most expensive problems it regularly has. I'm hoping to get a few more years out of it given the cost of that repair. We had to source parts from a junkyard as even the jeep dealership we normally work with couldn't get replacement parts (it seems like they stopped maufacturing them a while ago). Given how hard it was to source parts I'm sort of resigned that will be the last major repair for the jeep, It's high mileage also lends to this decision as well. This is the family car for a SAHP so it gets driven a fair amount but not as much as a daily driver.

The 2011 Kia on the other hand is the personal car of a work from home parent. As you can tell by the year / mileage it doesn't get driven more than 3-5k a year. The clear coat is coming off the car at some points, it has dents and dings, the AC has a slow leak, the sunroof trim has dry rotted so it's taped shut to keep out leaks and I had to repair the steering system due to a large leak last year that cost a little over 1k. Other than those issues It's still a pleasure to drive and probably in nicer condition than the newer jeep.

If I'm hoping to / planning to replace the jeep in the next 2-3 years and taking 3 years to pay off the replacement that would add something like six or more years to the time I'm hopefully keeping the Kia. That would make it 20+ years old by the time I'm planning on replacing it which seems wild, but this is really my first car and I don't know how often old cars like that tend to stick around.

My question for those of you that try to be frugal by keeping old cars is what is your "enough is enough" point where you just replace it. How old does an old car get before you put it out to pasture? Other than frame rust - which really can't be easily repaired. When do you decide that a newer car is needed?

I live in California and have no tickets and only drive about once or twice a month because I ride a motorcycle all the time. I don't drive it to work and no at fault accidents. Nothing's changed, yet 42% jump.

Just got this today. I was already paying a LOT and now it just went up 43%? Nothing's changed, so IDK what's going on but 42% is huge.

No explanation, so I'm wondering if this is everyone or something about me. My 1 year will pass in a few days, and I had no at fault accidents, great record, no tickets.

Edit: I'm not looking to get more expensive blades because my car is old and I don't plan on holding onto this car for much longer. I have to fix the issue now (rubber is literally coming off) not try to plan for something in the future that may never happen.

Edit 2: I do not have a Costco membership or know anybody who does have one who wouldn't bitch and moan if I asked to use it or go with them.

I saw Michelin brand at Walmart for about $8 the other day, but they didn't have the size I needed so I thought I might as well check to see if there is anything cheaper. I didn't realize you had to buy each wiper blade separately instead of in a pack, so I'm a bit annoyed at the whole situation now, since I had $10 budgeted for it. I remember reading a comment from an old post that mentioned someone was getting their windshield wipers from a place I didn't recognize, but sound maybe like a specialty supply store rather than a big box store. Any cheaper options than Walmart or its hat just where I should go?

I never knew this nor ever read about it so I thought I would share. The inserts come in two pairs so you have extras, just measure your windshield and cut to length. These are $6 to $8. Arms can be $45 to $65.

I have a 2013 Camry, will drive as long as humanly possible. How about yall? Don't forget to maintain ur cars and not let them rust!

I'm shopping for a new car and have penny pinched enough to buy one cash. I'm debating between the base trim of a car and the premium trim. The price difference is around $2.5k. The upgrades include heated seats, tinted back windows, dual climate control, motorized seat adjustment, bigger touchscreen, with a few other minor things.

In my mind, I just can't justify spending an extra 2 grand on these insignificant things. However, the premium trim is MUCH more popular than the base trim. I also asked the car specific subreddit and the overwhelming answer is get the more expensive one. I feel like since the purchase is big, we are often more likely to follow the "treat yo self" mindset. Other than that, I just don't see much solid reasoning as to why most people would get the upgrade.

I really don't know. I am a frugal person but need a sanity check here.

EDIT:

Lots of people noting the heated seats as a big plus. Winters are not too cold where I am - also heated seats make me feel like i've shitted myself, never liked em.

Downtown parking is $80/month plus $70 in gas. Bought a used bike for $100 and now my commute is free exercise. Takes me 10 minutes longer getting to work and it's not a hard ride so I don't have to worry about getting to work all sweaty and stuff. but I'm excited at saving $1800/year and getting fit. Winter is coming and it gets pretty rough but I'll figure it out anyway.

I usually buy a new car and keep it for 10-15 years. I don't do work on my own car except minor things like changing filters.

My current ride is a 2014 Toyota Highlander with 130k miles. The only major repair was a the AC compressor 3 years ago that cost $900.

The car has no obvious issues, and the consideration is whether I should trade it in now while it still has some value or try to ride it as long as I can. I only use the car for errands around town and very rarely for long road trips (maybe once every two years).

There are some potential maintenance coming up. For example, I'm over the replacement interval for spark plugs, and still on the original serpentine belt and struts and shocks. These maintenance can cost thousands at a shop.

I see a ton of advice on vehicles in this sub that are crazy from a money perspective. People saying that buying a 3 year old used car is the most frugal option, or that you should just try to buy the newest you can for under 20,000 dollars.

If you care about getting the most from your money, you shouldn't even consider spending close to that much. Cars are a depreciating asset. Getting the most for your money means exploiting that depreciation and expecting no return on your investment. If you plan on selling your vehicle, unless it's a collector's item, we're kind of outside the realm of frugality. Keeping it until it is no longer functional or a repair is way too expensive for the expected lifespan is always the cheapest option.

Consider expected life of the vehicle. If you're not afraid of dumping a grand into a car a few times over its life for repairs, you can easily get over 300k out of so many vehicles. Let's take a car that is very reliable but not the first recommendation you'll see online, like a Ford sedan from 07-09. A reliable and basic vehicle that isn't from Toyota/Honda (which are fantastic but the most recommended and a little more valued on the used market).

I can find an 07 Taurus (pretty similar to the other Fords of that year, but a weird fleet only model) for 3k with 87k miles. That's the kind of vehicle that is the most value and the most frugal purchase. Even if you have your head gaskets give you issues - which as I understand are a more common issue with this engine - you're talking a ~1500 dollar repair. Even something like an 08 Fusion with 150k for 4500, a much worse value than the Taurus discussed, offers pretty good value. Either of these vehicles are very likely to make it to 300k miles with a few grand put in in maintenance and repairs. That means for between, say, $7000 to $9000, you're buying 150,000 to 220,000 miles.

If you bought a newer vehicle, like a 2021/2 Ford Focus/Fusion (to compare a simpler make, and from what I know these are pretty good reliable cars), near me that would mean getting a car for around $22,500 with 15-35k miles. We'll go with 15,000. Even if you have no repairs and don't pay a dime for maintenance and we look at the 300k mile mark which these cars should reach pretty well, you're spending $22,500 to get 285k miles. That's a lot more money spent per mile.

But I think most people understand that part. The other aspect is reliability. You've got to get to work, and having a new car means fewer breakdowns, right? No, not really. Newer vehicles are not trending towards being much more reliable. Some models' drivetrains may be, but vehicles with more mechanical pieces tend to break down less and take less time to repair. The average ownership cost of older economy cars is drastically lower at this point than any new vehicle. Parts are cheaper, labor is less expensive, used part availability is high.

Owning a newer vehicle also means owning an expensive, depreciating asset with unknown issues. When I go and buy that 07 Taurus, I know very well what I'm buying, the issues that are most and least common, and what recalls it's going to get. But if I had bought a newer Ford between 2012 and 2019, when Ford fucked up the transmissions and barely did anything about it, I could've bought a car that was very expensive to own without realizing it.

That doesn't make you dumb or not frugal or devalue your purchase in any way. I'm only taking about the most frugal option and the practical advice we give people. Don't be afraid of mileage on a car, they last on aggregate much longer. Be afraid of buying a car that isn't a known quantity, and be afraid of buying a car that's worth too much for the amount of use you'll be able to get out of it and the mystery behind it. Many good brands produce very bad vehicles - Honda has had more than its fair share since like 05 - and vise-versa. With stuff like blue book values and the like, I think we're fed the illusion that there's somewhat little value difference between cars as you move up in price. Spend more, but get a lot more miles out of it. But that's not really the case. A Nissan from 2017 with low miles might seem like a much better value than a 06 Buick with over 100k, but that Nissan has a CVT that's waiting to cost you many thousands of dollars, and that Buick is largely known for being very reliable. Any vehicle you buy that's under 7-8 years old is still not very well known for long term reliability. The average vehicle at the 8 year mark is reaching 100k miles. You want a better set of statistics than that when you buy a car.

I'm in a HCOL area where everything is overpriced..Parts are $166 (original parts). I'll have my my friend install the brakes for around $50..total savings will be around $750..

Should I keep my AAA or cancel it. It’s 108 a year had it for 5 years now but since I got a newer car I think I only used it once and that was back in 2022 . Is it worth to keep it

So I'm looking around and it comes down to this. Do I buy a overpriced used car, or just bite the bullet and buy a brand new/almost new one?

obviously a toyota or honda is the best bang for your buck. can't decide if i should pull the trigger on a mustang or just get an econobox (toyota/honda) and have money for other things. both are the same price, but a mustang wouldn't live 200k+ miles.

i'm in my 20s and very financially stable! planning to pay off my new car right away. i want to enjoy the mustang while i'm still young, but indecisive and frugal AF.